Fifth wheel for vehicles



H. L. THOMPSON FIFTH WHEEL FOR VEHICLES Filed Nov. 28, 1952 I l O A TTUF 7 M f W 5 r 5 4 mi w PP a 4 4 4 A 5 Z TH A w z m w m% 2 fl w k U E w m 7 R k 30 w E 4 VJ... w "W3. H 0 \1 1 V W 5 E A 3 A. a mg 2 2% w w v \k 4 Mm 8 A ,0 I m W M 4 v 5 4 a Q s. 7 QQQQQQ v f f /!1 I March 30, 1954 Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIFTH WHEEL FOR VEHICLES- Herried L. Thompson, Portland, Oreg.

Application November 28, 1952, Serial No. 322,950

3 Claims. 280-125) This invention relates generally to motor driven vehicles and particularly to a fifth wheel for vehicles.

The main object of this invention is to provide a pivotal connection between driving and trailing units, which will be protected from spotting or having fiat spots formed on the pivot pin due to the constant pounding such devices receive on the roadway.

The second object is to so construct the device that it will be inexpensive to manufacture, light in weight, and capable of complete sealing.

The third object is to provide a pivot or fifth wheel for bolsters or two axle trailers.

I accomplish these and other objects in the manner set forth in the following specification as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a vehicle equipped with my device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken along the line 2-2 in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ratchet spring.

Like numbers of reference refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to'the drawing, there is shown an axle I 0 supported by the wheels I l. Springs l2 are attached to the axle ID at their outer ends by means of a clevis I3. The springs I2 are united by the flanges l4 of the lower housing l5. Bolts l6 extend through the flanges l4 and plates I! to hold the housing 15 in place on the springs l2.

In the housing I5 is formed a shoulder l8, below which is placed a thrust bearing l9, and above which shoulder is placed a thrust bearing 20.

A seal groove 2| for a. seal 22 is formed in the upper housing 23 whose counterboard lower end 23-A receives the upper end of the housing l5.

In the upper housing 23 is formed a shoulder 24, below which is placed a thrust bearing 25 and above which is placed a thrust bearing 26.

The ratchet wheel 21 forms a spacer between the bearings 20 and 25 and is part of the vertical shaft 28, having the steps 29, 30, 3| and 32 occupying the bearings I 9 and 20, 25 and 26. The face 33 of the wheel 21 rests on top of the bearing 20.

The lower end of the shaft 28 is threaded to receive a nut 34, preferably of the castellated variety. A cap 35 is secured across the lower end of the housing [5 by means of bolts 36.

On the reduced upper end 3'! of the shaft 28 is placed a nut 40, which is secured to the shaft 28 by means of a key 39. The nut 40 engages the bearing 26. The nut 34 is also held against movement by means of a key 39.

A cover plate 4| is placed over the top of the upper housing 23 and is held by the screws 42. On the top of the housing 15 is the pawl 43, which is urged toward the ratchet wheel 2! by the spring 44, which is anchored to the pin 45 in the housing [5.

In the counterbored lower end 23-A of the housing 23 is a pawl 43A, which is urged toward the ratchet wheel 21 by the spring 44-A, which is anchored to the pin 45-A in the housing 23.

The housing 23 is provided with a flange 46, which is held by bolts 41 to the bolster 48, or other supported vehicle member.

In the operation of the device, any turning movement of the vehicle causes a partial rotation of the shaft 28 in one direction only so that there will be no accumulated wear centered at some particular point in the bearings 19 and 20, 25 and 26, which might otherwise become serious.

It will be understood that the housings I5 and 23 are packed with lubricant and, since the actual wear is slight and the lubricant is kept clean, it will last indefinitely and the troublesome kingpin has been eliminated.

I claim:

1. A fifth wheel for vehicles comprising in combination upper and lower cylindrical housings, the adjacent ends of which are telescoped, each of said housings having an internal shoulder between the upper and lower ends thereof, opposed thrust bearings mounted in each of said housings above and below said shoulders, a shaft mounted in said bearings, a ratchet wheel on said shaft between the innermost bearings, a nut on the lower end of said shaft engaging the lowermost bearing, a second nut on the upper end of said shaft engaging the uppermost bearing, and spring urged pawls mounted in said lower housing engaging said ratchet wheel, limiting its rotation to one direction.

2. The fifth wheel as described in claim 1, together with clamping flanges on the lower housing for attaching it to supporting springs and. a bolster attached to the upper housing for supporting a load thereon.

3. A fifth wheel for dual axle trailers comprising in combination a pair of cylindrical housings disposed on a vertical axis, adjacent ends of which telescope, the lower housing having flanges thereon for attaching the housing to the vehicle springs, the upper housing having flanges thereon for attaching it to a vehicle bolster, a pair of opposed thrust hearings in each housing, the two intermediate bearings having a spacing ratchet'wheel therebetween, a stepped shaft occupying all of said bearings, the lower 10 end of said shaft having a nut thereon engaging the lowermost bearing, the uppermost end of said shaft having a head engaging the uppermost bearing, a. cover over said upper housing,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Dec. 28, 1929 

